Catalyst
Benchmarking Boston
Oct. 9-10 – A Chamber delegation traveled to Boston for the 2023 Benchmarking Trip. Tampa Bay area business leaders met with representatives from Accenture’s Innovation Hub, Massachusetts Port Authority, the President of the Boston City Council, Mayor of Boston, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and The Longwood Medical & Academic Area (LMA) collective, which serves one of the largest concentrations of medical institutions in the country.
Aligned with the mission of the annual benchmarking visits to other states, the trip focused centered around best practices and innovations that can be adapted or learned from to meet the needs of the Tampa Bay community. Always robust conversations between Tampa Bay leaders and leaders from the host city, this year’s agenda focused on innovation, creating new ideas for future benefit, and problem solving. Content highlights included:
- Driving change through innovation, developing community partnerships and collaboration with educational institutions to build a healthcare innovation ecosystem.
- Capitalizing on all aspects of the seaport, from containers to cruise ships.
- How chambers of commerce, advocating on behalf of their members, can make an impact on public policy in their region and state.
- Developing pathways to economic mobility through workforce development programs that include apprenticeships, workforce training and collaborations like the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership.
Special thanks to Stuart Brown, Senior Managing Director of Accenture, who served as the 2023 Benchmarking Program Chair. Now in its 22nd year, our Chamber’s annual benchmarking trip included a delegation of more than 100 members.
Public Policy Roundtable: Healthcare Affordability
Nov. 3 – The discussion was centered around why U.S. adults across the financial spectrum struggle to pay for their healthcare and what can be done to ease some of the financial stress. Following the discussion, the program concluded with an audience Q&A session. Our panelists included:
- Sherry Hoback, President & CEO at Tampa Family Health Centers
- Bree Rizzo, Legislative Relations Specialist at Florida Blue, and
- Kipp Snider, National Vice President, State Policy at PhRMA.
The program was moderated by Alexis Muellner, of Tampa Bay Business Journal. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Verizon.
Policy & Advocacy
Guided Brightline Tour
Nov 6 – Our Chamber delegation, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, rode the new Brightline Train for a guided tour from transportation leaders. Starting in Miami, our delegation heard from Brightline President Patrick Goddard on the economic impact of the train station in Overtown, one of the most blighted underserved neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County. At the stop at the West Palm Beach station, our delegation heard from West Palm Mayor Keith A. James about the benefits to his region and consumer amenities to increase ridership, including bike rentals at the Brightline train station.
A Call-to-Action on Transportation Referendum
In advance of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session starting on Jan. 9, the Chamber took advantage of end-of-year gatherings in December to mobilize members to contact elected officials to ask for the immediate return of $570 million in escrow from Hillsborough’s Transportation Sales Tax. To facilitate the process, we shared links to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, and members of our Tampa Bay legislative delegation. Chamber members and guests at Chamber events were encouraged to let these leaders know the business community is strongly advocating for the full and complete return of the millions of dollars collected from the 2018 transportation sales tax and currently held in escrow. This funding is critical to helping Hillsborough County address a significant backlog of transportation projects.
During the Chamber’s 138th Annual Meeting on Dec. 14, Chamber staff collected letters on-site from more than 220 people. In subsequent gatherings, newsletters, and in-person meetings with members, we have also shared a sign on-site link – providing individuals with additional options to contact elected officials on the tax referendum.
SIGN ON FOR THE TAX REFERENDUM
Meeting U.S. Congresswoman Laurel Lee on Federal Priorities
Our Chamber met with Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s Legislative Director Nick Adams and Deputy District Director Landon Hoffman on the Chamber’s federal priorities. Among the key issues discussed: advocating for locality pay for federal employees in the Tampa Bay region, increasing affordable housing for military families, and mitigating the expected impacts of Department of Defense changes involving healthcare access. Currently on-hold pending further review in Congress, this “DHA rightsizing” would limit the health clinic at MacDill Air Force Base to active-duty members only and close the Sabal clinic in Brandon.
Inclusive Organization
Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay
This class of 2023 – 2024 scholars from the University of Tampa, University of South Florida and Saint Leo University has reached the midpoint of the program year. Their December session day was centered around Tampa Bay’s Transportation Infrastructure Sustainability program. Activities included a ride on the Pirate Water Taxi, where Rodney Kite-Powell from the Tampa Bay History Center shared the history of the Hillsborough River and Tampa; a visit to Tampa International Airport and The Beck Group; meeting with City of Tampa recycling experts on best practices for individual recycling; and the Florida Aquarium where scholars learned about conservation projects.
Recruitment
In fourth quarter, the Chamber team participated in several outreach events on college campuses recruiting potential scholars for the next class of Collegiate Leadership. The outreach took several forms including this tabling event at Saint Leo University and a speaking engagement at the Tampa Campus of the University of South Florida. Michelle Ciudad Real, Senior Director of Leadership Programs at the Chamber, explained to the pledge class of USF’s Phi Chi Theta - Zeta Rho Chapter how the program helps students build a strong network of mentors and connections.
Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay
The 11th Annual Nonprofit Fair
Oct. 24 – Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay hosted 26 nonprofits at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club. Over 75 Emerging Leaders had the opportunity to meet with nonprofit representatives one-on-one to learn more about their missions, volunteer opportunities, and open board positions. Many thanks to our sponsor United Way Suncoast for their continuous support of this exclusive volunteer event. To date, Emerge members have volunteered over 1,000 community service hours towards the program’s Challenge For Change initiative.
2024 Emerging Leaders Group Enrollment
One of the best benefits of Emerging Leaders is getting involved in one of our work groups. For the 2024 year, we are aligning these groups with the pillars of the Chamber Vision Plan: Hub for Business, Catalyst, Inclusive Organization and Organizational Excellence. The groups meet once a month and focus on topics that help young professionals grow in their careers, get involved in the community, and stay educated on public policy issues of high interest in the region.
Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting
Dec. 7 – The executive team of 2024 Emerging Leaders was formally presented during the Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting at ZooTampa. Our Chamber also announced Antoine B. Richards as the winner of the 2023 Deanne Dewey Roberts Leadership Award for his extraordinary service and leadership. The young professional serves as the Chief of Staff for the Institute for Diversity & Inclusion in Emergency Management. In an unexpected twist, Richards found himself on assignment in the United Arab Emirates on the evening of the awards ceremony and didn’t learn of his win until several hours later because of the time difference.
Recruitment
Recruitment has begun for 2024 Emerging Leaders. Returning members or new members may renew/join via the Emerging Leaders Join Form.
Military
Operation Partnership: Tampa Bay @ Sunset
Oct. 24 – Over 80 business community leaders, military members, and military spouses attended the Operation Partnership: Tampa Bay @ Sunset event presented by USAA. This is an opportunity for transitioning service members and military spouses to network with members of the business community as they build their professional network.
Ohio Benchmarking Visits
During the month of October, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and Cobb County Chamber of Commerce visited Tampa Bay to learn best practices to bring back their respective communities. During their visit we organized panel discussions on how the business community is recruiting military talent to their organizations. Panels were moderated by Katie Lopez and featured Tampa Bay Chamber members Hiring Our Heroes, Ombra, and Paragon Cyber Solutions.
Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes, a program under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, hosted their two-day career intensive workshop for military spouses in Tampa Bay. During the Amplify event over 15 military spouse attendees heard from business community leaders on how they can build their professional network, develop their resumes, and enhance their interview skills.
Operation New Uniform
The Military Advisory Committee featured an overview of Chamber Member Operation New Uniform’s program and introduced the new Tampa Program Manager to the committee. Built on the Sandler Training method, this program empowers veterans and military spouses to successfully transition to a purposeful, stable career. The committee members also heard from Lauren Valiente, who was part of the Chamber’s Catalyst visit to Washington, D.C. in September. Members were also briefed on our advocacy efforts to update the methodology used by the Federal Salary Council to calculate compensation for federal employees, commonly referred to as “locality pay”.
Walmart Foundation Grant
Nov. 11 – The Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation was recognized as one of five local non-profit recipients of the Walmart Foundation’s grant in support of veterans and their families during their inaugural Headliners and Heroes Concert.
Association of Defense Communities’ Installation Innovation Forum
During the Association of Defense Communities’ Installation Innovation Forum, Katie Lopez moderated the “Five and Thrive: Enhancing Military Family Quality of Life by Building Community Support” panel which featured Kathleen Nestor from the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance and Traci Dewar from the 6th Air Refueling Wing. The discussion centered on how the base is bringing together community partners, like the Tampa Bay Chamber, to address quality of life issues that impact military families.
VOWS Symposium
Nov 16 – The Bob Woodruff Foundation hosted their first Veterans on Wall Street Symposium (VOWS) in Miami and featured the Tampa Bay Chamber’s creation of the “Military Bay, USA” branding for our region and also showcased several of our Chamber’s military programs. The “Military Bay, USA” trademark was presented as a best practice for communities supporting military families. The national symposium convenes leading thinkers and stakeholders to discuss veteran and military spouse support, and retention in civilian careers.
Military Advisory Committee
The Military Advisory Committee hosted its final meeting of the year and heard from Anna Tanzilla, Director, Transition and Admin Services, at the Camaraderie Foundation. Anna shared with the MAC the organization’s programs that support veterans and their spouses.
Federal Locality Pay
Nov. 20 – The Chamber continues to advocate for the Tampa Bay region to be added to the federal General Schedule locality areas. The locality pay would increase salaries for our federal employees and make the region more competitive in attracting and retaining talent. To that end, we hosted a meeting with Congresswoman Kathy Castor, representatives from MacDill Air Force Base and Chamber leadership to discuss locality pay for federal employees. With all branches of the military based at work in the region, the locality pay issue affects tens of thousands of military families.
Camaraderie Foundation’s Mentor Leadership Program
Dec. 12 – our Chamber hosted the Camaraderie Foundation’s Mentor Leadership Program Tampa session where participants learned more about our organization, and our programs specifically supporting service members in their transition from military to civilian careers. The event also included a leadership discussion on how their military skills translate to the civilian business community.
Stars, Stripes, and Holiday Wishes Nourish the Service
Dec. 19-20 – Members of the Chamber’s Military Advisory Committee volunteered at the Blue Star Families Stars, Stripes, and Holiday Wishes Nourish the Service Event. Our MAC team helped distribute 300 turkeys with all the trimmings, including more than 1,200 pounds of strawberries, tomatoes, and string beans, and 200 gallons of milk. Chamber members also helped distribute several thousand toys to military families.
Minority Business Accelerator
NDIA Selects Carl Chaisson As New VP
Congratulations to MBA Cohort ’24 participant Carl Chaisson, CEO, United One Communications, LLC for being newly elected as Vice President of the National Defense Industrial Association of Tampa! The NDIA Tampa Bay Chapter promotes a responsive government and industry national security team through productive interactions with MacDill Air Force Base, US Central Command, US Special Operations Command and other Defense activities in the Tampa Bay region. Regular seminars with DoD leadership, training sessions, industry surveys and consistent advertising of local DoD related events provide terrific dialogue and progress toward building more effective exchange of information between industry and government on national security issues and solutions.
M&G Participates In Historic Moment at USF
Congratulations to MBA Cohort ’23 participant on being a part of the University of South Florida’s milestones for its new Honors College. M&G Janitorial Services performed the “Final Cleaning,” at USF’s Judy Genshaft Honors College in partnership with the Beck Group.
Monica Hernandez Named Top 100 Influential Hispanic Technology Leader
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans mid-September thru mid-October, MBA 2024 Cohort participant Monica Hernandez, was named in the Top 100 Most Influential Hispanic Technology Leaders. The national honor was announced October 3 by the Hispanic Technology Executive Council based in Chicago. Hernandez, the founder of MAS Global, was also spotlighted in the Jacksonville Business Journal during its special coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month.
HCC Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Local Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations included representation by the Tampa Bay Chamber. Senior Director of Strategic Branding, Marketing & Communications Lissette Campos was the Keynote Speaker at the HHM celebration at Hillsborough Community College and Moderated the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association’s HHM Event, interviewing the 2023 Hispanic Man & Hispanic Woman of the Year, and Minority Business Accelerator 2022 Chair and HPWA President Marynes Mateo.
MBA Cohort ’23 Graduation
Congratulations to MBA Cohort ’23 on completing their 2-year program. All six were celebrated on November 14th gathering at Hotel Haya, with MBA sponsors, 2023 Cohort Chair Lorena Hardwick, Board Chair Brian Butler, Chamber President & CEO Bob Rohrlack, and Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Leadership Programs Avril Stinson.
- Floyd Freeman, Cableytics
- John Diaz, Ceiba Ltd. Co.
- Max Volmar, Jr., M&G Janitorial Services
- Charles Jackson, Mijan Construction
- Damaris Ortega, Ortega Custom Cabinets
- Kalvin Weathersby, Power Civil Construction Services
MBA at SBOY
Small Business of the Year Awards history was made with first winners from the accelerator! Congratulations to MBA 2024 Cohort’s Paragon Cyber Solutions, winner of the Small Business of the Year 5- 20 Employees, and to MBA 2019 Cohort’s MidFlorida Armored & ATM Services, winner of SBOY 51- 250 Employees!
Business Game Changer of the Season
Our Chamber partnership with TECO and Tampa Bay Buccaneers continues with the Business Game Changer of the Season. During each home game, a member of this year’s cohort is spotlighted. Most recently, Cohort member Kalvin Weathersby, CEO & Operations Manager of Power Civil Construction Services.
JPMorgan Chase Foundation gift
The JPMorgan Chase Foundation gift to our Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator was announced at our 138th Annual Meeting. The $134,000 grant marks Chase’ financial support of the MBA program for a second consecutive year. Chase will make the symbolic “check presentation” during the kickoff of the accelerator’s 2025 Cohort on January 30.
MBA 2023 Cohort
In December, TECO published videos with all six companies in our Chamber’s 20203 Cohort of the Minority Business Accelerator. The partnership with TECO and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcased our MBA entrepreneurs as “Bucs’ Business Game Changers of the 2023 Season.” Each month, an MBA 2023 Cohort member is spotlighted in stadium announcements, in social media posts, and a month of free electricity from TECO!
MBA 2024 Cohort
Participants completed the first of their 2-year MBA journey with an “Executive Leadership” session presented by Coca Cola Beverages Florida. As the 4th largest Black-owned business in the U.S., Coke Florida shared business insights and success strategies from its exclusive franchise in the state of Florida. MBA 2024 cohort members benefitted from the access to several members of Coke Florida’s Senior Leadership team and business mentorship.
MBA 2025 Cohort
At our 138th Annual Meeting, we announced the 9 member companies selected for the MBA 2025 Cohort. They are:
- Priscilla Conyers, Eggs Up Grill
- Angela Corbett, TrueCandor Behavioral Health
- Tye Fowler, SGD Communications
- Tamara Glynn, ClearPath Health
- Albert Gutierrez, A&A’s Complete Janitorial
- Clem Herrod, CLEMCO.AV
- Shanae Hill, Premier Choice Group
- Ernest Walker, Ernest Walker Insurance Agency
- Meloni Waller, Halo Solutions.
This is the first cohort seated after the program received international recognition at the World Chambers Congress. The Chair of the 2025 Cohort is Kadian Douglas of Pivot with Purpose and an MBA Leadership Council Member since 2020.
Minority Empowerment Program
WingBoys At USF Supplier Diversity Program
Angelica Torres and Javier Rodriguez, owners of WingBoys, were invited to participate in the University of South Florida’s supplier diversity program of “Local Restaurant Road.” Congratulations to the 2023 MEP entrepreneurs, who sold 400 pounds of chicken wings in their first week on campus!
Minority Empowerment Program Member Helps Promote Public Policy Roundtable
Michelle Rhodes, CEO of The Color of Wellness Media & Retired RN, shared her insights on the increasing cost of healthcare and what you can do to help reduce costs through taking preventative healthcare measures, and more. The 2023 MEP entrepreneur helped raise awareness in the weeks leading up to the final Public Policy Roundtable of 2023. The Nov. 3 panel on Healthcare Equity included Florida Blue’s Legislation Relations Specialist, Tampa Family Health Centers’ President/CEO, and PhRMA’s National Vice President of State Policy.
In November MEP 2023 participants completed their year with a “Doing Business With,” session. Presenters included City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the SBDC.
Women’s Programming
Pearls of Wisdom: Breaking the Business Norm
Oct. 18 – A sold-out crowd filled the restaurant of Willa’s for our second and final Pearls of Wisdom event of 2023. At the source of the enlightening and empowering conversations was the panel’s frank and often humorous stories about their career journeys. The powerhouse panel was comprised of Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Shae Gee, now with Paragon Cyber Solutions; Entrepreneur Cole Robinson, Owner & President of Fish Window Cleaning; and Strategist Amelia Fox, Chief of Staff & Chief Strategy Officer of Lutheran Services Florida. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Greenberg Traurig.
2024 Women of Influence Keynote Speaker Selected
Documentarian Sarah Moshman will deliver the keynote during the 18th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon set for March 22, 2024 at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Our thanks to Tampa General Hospital for returning as Presenting Sponsor of the signature event by the Chamber’s WOI Committee. Chamber Members attending the October Orientation were the first to receive the exciting news. Within 2 hours, the Chamber staff was receiving emails from Members seeking ticket information! In 2023 the WOI Event sold out 6 weeks in advance.
In the three weeks since the announcement of our WOI Keynote Speaker during the 138th Annual Meeting, 50% of the tickets sold! Sponsorships are available and nominations for the 2024 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award are being accepted now thru Feb. 8.
Hub For Business
Membership
In quarter 4, the Chamber welcomed 40 new members.
Business Diversity
Based on the self-reported diversity of their businesses, Chamber membership business diversity is at 27.5% of our overall membership. The number of minority businesses increased to 305 member companies. Chamber diversity tracks businesses that are Black owned, Hispanic owned, Veteran owned, Women owned, or any combination of those classifications.
Ambassador Committee & Ribbon Cuttings
Ambassadors participated in nine Ribbon Cuttings for Chamber members celebrating their business. In addition to calling over 200 new members, they delivered thank you for your membership gifts to members celebrating their one year or five-year membership anniversary.
Events
Event Registrations
For the first time since 2020, event registrations surpassed pre-COVID 19 attendance figures. In 2023, Chamber events surpassed 12,700+ registrations.
Member Orientation
Oct. 3 – 43 new members attended this overview of Chamber programs, events, and initiatives.
Nov. 28 – 43 new members attended this overview of Chamber programs, events, and initiatives.
Get Connected
Oct. 26 – Hosted by South University, business connections were made during this very popular facilitated networking event attended by 28 members.
Dec. 7 – Get Connected was the final one of 2023 and had 45 members participate in the popular speed-networking held at our Chamber office. Looking ahead to January, preparations are being finalized for the Membership Department’s next New Member Orientation Jan. 16 and Get Connected networking session Jan. 17.
Community Outreach
Oct. 26 – Chamber Members supported Dawning Family Services Trunk or Treat decorated 14 cars, wore costumes and of course shared candy with those in need.
Circle of Influence
Oct. 27 – Chamber hosted its third and final Circle of Influence event of 2023 to a sold-out audience! Our featured speaker was Kathy Marinello, President & CEO of PODS Enterprises. Recognized by Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in 2018, Marinello shared her leadership journey, the importance of mindset in your career, and told insightful stories about the challenges and opportunities in navigating the post-pandemic business landscape. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Florida Blue.
Business Around the Bay
Oct. 31 – Local business leaders across industries discussed current issues and shared solutions in this lively, informative forum.
Coffee Connection
Nov. 14 – 46 members and Chamber Ambassadors participated in this popular morning networking event. Ambassadors work with members sharing their experience and successes as a member.
43rd Annual Small Business of the Year Awards
Nov. 16 – The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly announced the winners of the 43rd Annual Small Business of the Year Awards at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Congratulations to our winners!
- Startup: BoylenPoint, LLC
- 5 – 20 Employees: Paragon Cyber Solutions
- 21 – 50 Employees: Bake More Pies
- 51 – 250 Employees: MidFlorida Armored
- Outstanding Leader: Bob Clark, President of Tampa Steel Erecting Company
More than 450 guests gathered to celebrate small businesses, which represent a vital part of our local economy. This year, 20 small businesses made it to the final round of reviews, whereby more than 50 judges and SBOY committee volunteers evaluated them via their business history and philosophy, business goals and planning, operational management, innovation and response to adversity, and leadership and community contributions. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Adcock Financial Group and Vistra Communications.
138th Annual Meeting
Dec. 14 – The Tampa Bay Chamber hosted its 138th Annual Meeting for the ceremonial passing of the gavel from 2023 Board Chair Brian Butler to 2024 Board Chair Brian Adcock; and awarded the annual H.L. Culbreath Award for Leadership to Gregory Celestan.
Chamber President Dr. Bob Rohrlack and 2023 Chairman of the Board highlighted our accomplishments in 2023, including the 5-Star Rating from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; global recognition of the Minority Business Accelerator; the increase in new members; more than $100K in professional development/coaching provided to Chamber Members through various Membership Department offerings this year; and increased event attendance in 2023 that surpassed pre-COVID numbers for the first time. Entering year 8 of the Chamber’s 10-year vision plan in 2024, Chamber President & CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack called the Vision 2026 plan foundational to the successes experienced across programming and committees led by Chamber members. Watch the 2023 Annual Meeting video.
Leadership Tampa
Community Outreach Program Day
“You can’t just stay in the office to make an impact – you have to get out in your community to make a difference.” This quote by Chloe Coney, CEO of Community Enterprise Group, was the inspiration behind Leadership Tampa’s Community Outreach Day. In total, our LT’24 class underwent immersive experiences at 18 different non-profits (AMI Kids, Community Tampa Bay, Cove Behavioral Health, Created Women, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Goodwill, Gulf Coast JFCS, Junior Achievement BizTown, Macdonald Training Center, Meals on Wheels, Metropolitan Ministries, Sulphur Springs YMCA, Tampa Police Department SVU, Tampa Well, The Spring of Tampa Bay, UACDC, University of Tampa, and YMCA Reads).
Media Day at the Poynter Institute
Oct. 25 – LT’24 class experienced a Media Day unlike prior classes. The session at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg brought together journalism executives making the decisions on the editorial content across three journalism formats. They included the Market President/Publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal Ian Anderson, Vice President/Editor of the Tampa Bay Times Mark Katches, the President/General Manager of Telemundo Tampa TV stations in Tampa Bay, Orlando and Ft. Myers media markets, Migdalia Figueroa, and Audience Director of Politifact Josie Hollingsworth. The panel of experts was moderated by News Anchor Carolina Leid of 10 Tampa Bay News (CBS), which is a Chamber Member.
This November, the LT Class of 2023 delivered 337 children’s books to the District 3 office of the Tampa Police Department. The LT class collected enough books to fully stock the Book Nook for an entire year. The books are part of a safe space created for kids at the police station for different reasons. That’s not all! The LT ’23 class also collected books for 2 more Book Nooks run by Champions for Children in other underserved communities.
Leadership Tampa Alumni
LTA Top Golf
The LTA Top Golf event was a great success. Attendees indulged in friendly competition, regardless of their skill levels, and had the opportunity to connect and network with fellow Leadership Tampa alumni from different graduating years. Thank you to our sponsor Busch Gardens.
LTA Celebrates ELTB
Many thanks to five LT Alumni who took part in a morning of filming for a special tribute to Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay’s reaching the 20-year milestone in 2024. Mark Colvenbach and Scott Morrison were segment Chairs in 2004 when Emerge was launched. They shared memories on the program’s early days, as did Jessica Muroff and Mike Griffin, who Co-Chaired the founding class 20 years ago. Also providing historic context was Christine Turner, President of ChappellRoberts, who shared the backstory of the Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award created in 2006 in memory of Roberts, a moving force behind the creation of Emerge. Watch the Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay Legacy video.
LTA Connect with Coffee
Nov. 14 – At Hampton Chocolate Factory LTA members enjoyed three “C’s”: Coffee, Conversation and Chocolate! Thank you to Hampton Chocolate Factory for hosting LTA for the most recent Connect with Coffee event.
Holiday Party
Dec. 13 – LTA hosted its 8th Annual Holiday Party at the Pelagia event space at the Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel. The gathering included LT graduates from the first graduating class of 1970 to the 2023 LT Class!
Renewals
LTA engagement continues to grow as more participants of our Leadership Tampa program, past and present, see LTA as a natural progression in their leadership journey. The renewal period is now active and via the LTA renewal form.
Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Committee hosted their final committee meeting of the year and the conversation focused on preparations for their final event of the Work Redefined Series which will focus on how employers can tap into non-traditional talent pipelines to fill their workforce needs.
Nov. 6 – We held our final Work Redefined Series event of the year discussing how business leaders and hiring managers can discover and hire hidden talent that many times is overlooked. Our expert panel included Kristen Bracy MA, MSW - Founder of I Rise FL, Sashy O'Connor – Director of Operations at The Grow Group Inc. , and Dave McAleer, M.A. – Veteran and Military Family Representative at CareerSource Tampa Bay. They shared that one of the main reasons that employers overlook great candidates is due to the increased dependance on technology in the workplace and the fast-changing demographics in the hiring process. They also shared how companies can explore outside the traditional sources of talent and encouraged them to learn about how they can partner with local organizations and businesses to ease the talent shortage and raise productivity.
Organizational Excellence
Katie Lopez honored as “40 Under 40”
Community Recognition for member of Chamber Executive Team, Vice President Katie Lopez. Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Annual “40 Under 40” Awards Dinner included honors for the Tampa Bay Chamber’s very own Katie Lopez, Vice President of Member Engagement. Under Katie’s leadership, the Chamber’s Operation Partnership has served approximately 900 veterans and military spoused, to date, and drawn the partnership of more than 700 businesses and organizations helping transitioning service members with new career opportunities in the Tampa Bay region. Katie’s passion for military initiatives was among the reasons judges were inspired to name her one of 40 top business leaders under the age of 40.
Michelle Ciudad Honored as ACCE 40 Under 40
Dec. 7 – The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives announced its annual listing of 40 Under 40: Emerging Leaders Shaping the Chamber Industry, naming our Chamber’s Senior Director of Leadership Programs Michelle Ciudad Real as the sole Emerging Leader from the State of Florida! The annual ACCE recognition dates back to 2019 and selects chamber professionals nationwide under the age of 40.
Social Media Milestones
In November, the team also marked additional milestones, surpassing 9,800 Members on the eView Newsletter distribution list! The increases are the byproduct of this executive team’s directive on storytelling to all areas of the Chamber, not limited to the communications department. The resulting content has helped raise community awareness of Chamber Members involved in programs, committees, etc.
- #1 in engagement & #1 in new followers, compared to 8 organizations and chambers we track in the Tampa Bay Region.
- Followers: 20,000+
- New Followers: 846
- Reach = 35,619
- Reach = 15,382